Cracking a national-level examination is not a piece of cake. Therefore, you need to stay motivated to pursue the task with all your mind, soul and strength. The second attempt of JEE Mains 2020 is now scheduled from 1-6 September. With tough competition and hard questions, the exam has become a nemesis of India’s future technocrats who want to pursue their education in India’s premier engineering institutes mainly IITs. Here are some tips JEE aspirants can follow to prepare:
Make a proper schedule
All aspirants who wish to crack JEE Mains are advised to make a proper schedule for their days including time for study, breaks and even naptime. A balanced day chart with due time given to rest is mandatory to remain focused and concentrated. When planning out a preparation schedule, it is important that you include your free time, time to play around, enjoy and party, while also including your study schedule. Proper utilisation of your time will only enhance your efficiency.
Structure your syllabus
While structuring your syllabus, keep in mind the different sub-topics of the chapter and the various books that you can use for the preparation of that particular topic. Divide your topics in three zones: weak, moderate and strong. Try to focus more on strong chapters of yours during the last day revision and just read the important concept and formulae of weak chapters. When preparing the timetable, define the duration for completing a topic or chapter. Remember, completing a topic before the set deadline is always a booster.
Make mind maps
This personal obsession of mine has been of utmost help to my students in my decade of teaching. A ‘Mind Map’ is one where one jots down all the equations and theories used in that chapter in the form of flowcharts in a single page.
Revision is the key to success
Revise those questions which were doubtful during the first time. Use different pens to write short notes. Cramming all the equations, theories and questions will not help, understanding the logic and reasoning will. Hence, you should attempt JEE Mains mock tests and solve previous year question papers. On the other hand, do not spend hours on one topic or question either, you will only be wasting your time. If you are stuck at someplace, it is better to seek guidance on the issue or keep it aside for later, so that you can complete the rest of the chapter or topic.
Slow is smooth & smooth is faster
Maintain your calm and let go off every thought except for the question or concept that you are grappling with. This will slow you down but you will gain smoothness. With due time and practice, this smoothness will give you speed and accuracy. This ‘mantra’ too has worked wonders!
The author is a mathematics faculty and heads a Surat-based coaching institute—IITeasy.